2018 Elston Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
Sourced primarily from the Havelock Hills, but with contributions from Bridge Pa and the Dartmoor Valley, the 2018 Elston Chardonnay artfully combines toasty, smoky notes with peach and pineapple fruit. The result is something akin to roasted hazelnuts or cashews and grilled fruit. Medium to full-bodied and generous without seeming overly rich, the wine remains focused and long on the mouthwatering finish. It's probably the best Elston to date.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
This shiny, golden-hued Chardonnay is richly fruited, with flavors reminiscent of pineapple, cream and toasty oak. It offers plenty of concentration and a precise structure. The alcohol of 14% is on the hot side with a slightly briefer-than-hoped-for conclusion.
Clones: Mendoza, 95 and 548. Full malolactic conversion. Aged for 11 months in French oak (33% new). Light reductive matchstick note, restrained citrus fruit on the nose. Lime and cream with mealy texture and a long cereal-style finish. Savoury and relatively light in style, but with excellent acidic snap and a really charming hay and barley character on the length. Lovely touch of caramel on the finish. (RH)